SMRTR Science & EngineeringMar 3, 2026MIT Technology Review

This startup claims it can stop lightning and prevent catastrophic wildfires

SMRTR summary

Vancouver-based startup Skyward Wildfire claims it can prevent wildfires by stopping lightning strikes through cloud seeding with aluminum-coated fiberglass chaff, raising $5.7 million to expand operations after trials with Canadian agencies showed 60-100% lightning reduction. However, researchers remain skeptical about the technology's effectiveness and environmental impact, noting the company hasn't published peer-reviewed data.

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